Aerosmith rocked the arcades last year with Revolution X, and now the intense first-person shooting action is blasting onto home systems (PlayStation pictures shown here). You're up against the New Order Nation, a group that's trying to take over the world by controlling the minds of young people. The five nonlinear levels send you blasting through California and England, and you can choose a different path through the carnage each time.

A musical theme pervades the game, so many of the power-ups come in the form of exploding CDs. Music and cameos by Aerosmith are peppered throughout. Acclaim promises to back up the action with sharp graphics.

reggie posted a review

Overall rating: 5

Download Revolution X

Playstation

System requirements:

PC compatible

Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

The revolution is here, but it's too late. With standard shooting that doesn't live up to its arcade counterpart, Rev X seems like an old game wheezing through on its past reputation (kinda like Aerosmith).

The graphics outshine the 16-bit versions'-but not by much. Clear sprites suffer from slowdown, and the nameless enemies are also faceless...and lifeless. Rescuing the band gets boring quickly, even with the help of smooth controls.

The clear music could use a boost, with bland Aerosmith hits like "Rag Doll" infiltrating the soundtrack. Unless you're a die-hard Aerosmith rocker, the tunes won't be anything but too loud. This is T2 for glam-rock fans. If you like Aerosmith and you fancy yourself a Terminator, then gun it. If not, rent it.

ProTips:

When the going gets tough, use the CDs. They're quicker and deadlier.

Shoot everything. Items are in places as innocuous as those cheap lounge-lizard candies In the dance club.

reggie posted a review

Overall rating: 5.5

You've probably seen this game in your local arcades. The coin-op version of Revolution X was originally done by Midway, with a brand-new translation for the Sony PlayStation.

The gameplay is simplistic, with one or two players guiding cursors over a constantly changing background. You can fire standard bullets or launch CDs. Along the way, you'll find power-ups in the form of laserdiscs, shields and a gun enhancement. You'll need all of these to beat back the tide of enemies who relentlessly attack.

The story takes place in an apocalyptic world ruled by a dictator. You are a freedom fighter who must take down major enemy installations.

New Order, as the enemy is called, is comprised primarily of yellow-garbed guards. You will face literally hundreds of these guys. On the later levels, New Order will throw natives and ninjas your way. All of them attack in pretty much the same way, with a projectile of some sort. At the end of each area, you will come up against a huge Boss that takes plenty of hits. In fact, you'll end up blowing them apart piece by piece. (They resemble the enemies from Smash TV.)

Revolution X adds some innovations to a genre long thought limited. First, there are times where you can choose your path. For example, you can opt to enter a building or sneak around back. This way, each game is different every time you play. This definitely adds to the play value.

Another cool part of Rev X is that you can shoot nearly everything on the screen. While stress relieving in itself, it is possible to open up new areas and find special secrets. This is the only way to get the real ending, by the way. Secrets are built into many targets on each of the levels.

Speaking of levels, each one is gigantic. The first stage is a run through Club X. You must blast your way to Aerosmith's dressing room. There are several places to explore, including the main entrance, and a stage. After receiving instructions from a VCR tape, you must flee the New Order forces via helicopter. This section is a fast-paced flight through the city. There are plenty of buildings to hit, and windows to smash.

The next three areas can be chosen in any order. You can save a busload of children in Egypt, or fight your way through a munitions storage facility. You can also stop the New Order from experimenting on helpless girls in a laboratory. Each level is diverse enough to hold your interest.

The music of Revolution X was done by Aerosmith. The band members play a large part in the game, with you having to save their hides from the New Order forces.

In terms of translation, everything from the arcade is here. Every little effect and trick can be enjoyed. The graphics are a little pixelated, but Revolution X scrolls just like its coin-op brother.

Inside Track

Not many players play for points anymore, but Revolution X has plenty of secrets for you to find. When you first land at the entrance to the club, you'll see a cat on a wall. Hit it with around eight CDs to knock it down. Peg it with one more, and an alien will appear. Shoot the alien, and he'll split into a small army of critters. Shoot each one for a major load of bonus points. What other secret point tricks can you find?